November 2009 Newsletter

For Seventh-day Adventists

Be Not Conformed To This World (Romans 12:2)

Shoes and Shirt Required

There are laws guiding our actions, like at a theatre we may not be loud and disruptive. What if you were to show up to hike with your friends and you were wearing diving gear, like flippers and goggles. That is ridiculous, right? What if you were to show up at a wedding wearing cutoffs and flip-flops? What if you were to walk along the beach in a tuxedo? That is not very practical, right?

There obviously are expectations on what is appropriate to wear or how to behave at any given time. What if a sinner walked into church and found the members acting and appearing like his friends and co-workers? Better yet, what if someone asked you what church you attended, thinking it was a common mainstream denomination, and then walked away disgusted at the fact that you claim to be a Seventh-day Adventist and yet you appear no different than his friends.

But wait! Are not the sinners in the world looking for a place to feel comfortable so as to stay as they are? No, that is Satan’s lie to us specifically as a people. What the world needs and desires are the “peculiar” people of the Bible. They are looking for God’s people, who know how He wants them to walk, talk, act, dress, eat, worship, etc., a certain way.

To be a true Christian, there is a “dress code” and a certain behavior, a diet, and a proper method of worship, among other things. Trying to be one without such is like trying to enter heaven without the wedding garment (Matthew 22:11-12). It cannot happen.

Just A Question Or Two Or Three

Has Christianity conformed to the world? Has our church conformed to this world? Have we conformed to this world?

Are we the stark, rebuking example we are called to be? “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee” (Titus 2:15).

Now when called to rebuke, did you know that you do not have to say a word? Just how you and I live ought to rebuke the world.

Oh, we may try to rebuke the world by attending church on the correct day, but can anyone tell us apart any other day?

Are We Repeating History?

The same spirit of selfishness, of conformity to the practices of the world, exists in our day as in Noah's. Many who profess to be children of God follow their worldly pursuits with an intensity that gives the lie to their profession. They will be planting and building, buying and selling, eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the last moment of their probation. This is the condition of a large number of our own people. . . . {Maranatha, page 51}

It is conformity to the world that is causing our people to lose their bearings. The perversion of right principles has not been brought about suddenly. The angel of the Lord presented this matter to me in symbols. It seemed as if a thief were stealthily moving closer and still closer and gradually but surely stealing away the identity of God's work by leading our brethren to conform to worldly policies. {Mind, Character, and Personality, Volume 2, page 558}

Are We Trying To Keep The Peace?

Shortly before His crucifixion Christ had bequeathed to His disciples a legacy of peace. "Peace I leave with you," He said, "My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27. This peace is not the peace that comes through conformity to the world. Christ never purchased peace by compromise with evil. The peace that Christ left His disciples is internal rather than external and was ever to remain with His witnesses through strife and contention. {The Acts of the Apostles, p 84}

“For years the voice of God has been saying to us, ‘Agitate, agitate, agitate.’” {Counsels on Sabbath School Work, page 37}

Are we too careful with our beliefs? It is true that when we are studying with people we need to be careful and not choke them with too much information. But what of the stranger that does a kind deed, yet ignorantly offends God? Do we let it slide unchallenged and leave the person in ignorance?

Are We Too Careful For Our Lives?

"We having the same spirit of faith," Paul continued, "according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak." Fully convinced of the reality of the truth entrusted to him, nothing could induce Paul to handle the word of God deceitfully or to conceal the convictions of his soul. He would not purchase wealth, honor, or pleasure by conformity to the opinions of the world. Though in constant danger of martyrdom for the faith that he had preached to the Corinthians, he was not intimidated, for he knew that He who had died and risen again would raise him from the grave and present him to the Father. {Acts of the Apostles, page 331}

We may not be on the line for martyrdom but what of our employment? If you are self-employed, praise the Lord. But what of those that are employed by non-Adventists? What do you do about Sabbath conflicts? Too many times we hear, “I had to work a few Sabbaths until they could change my schedule to get the Sabbath day off.” So you would knowingly break the fourth commandment so as to be kind to your employer? Worse yet is that more than likely if you did not work a few of them until another person could be hired, you would have lost your job. Is not God greater than this? (see sidebar for example) Ye of little faith, do you not believe He will provide for all your needs? Now of course we are not referring to the Biblical exceptions of work on the Sabbath, though we still have to be careful it is not used as a loophole.

James is a rebuke to that thinking. “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). Once you learn God’s will, such as the Sabbath, there are no excuses for even one time compromising with the world so as not to get fired or to be kind to some employer that is probably not going to be in heaven anyways. Sure that employer could be in heaven but the odds are against them. And your act of kindness instead of a firm stand for the truth actually is keeping them from considering heaven.

This world needs to know that God has standards. In fact, people are looking for such.

The greatest want of the world is the want of men-- men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall. {Education, page 57}

Being kind to relatives and eating abominable foods, such as pork products, so as to keep the peace is not what the world needs. Stand up for the truth.

Trying To Look Like The World To Win The World?

We never needed close connection with God more than we need it today. One of the greatest dangers that besets God's people has ever been from conformity to worldly maxims and customs. {Child Guidance, p 471}

But while we conform to the world in these matters, in some cases apparently seeking to excel worldlings in fanciful arrangement, the preaching of the truth will have but little or no effect. Who will believe the solemn truth for this time, when those who already profess to believe it contradict their faith by their works? It is not God who has closed the windows of heaven to us, but it is our own conformity to the customs and practices of the world. {Counsels on Diet and Foods, page 90}

Christ sought to save the world, not by conformity to it, but by revealing to the world the transforming power of the grace of God to mold and fashion the human character after the likeness of the character of Christ. {God's Amazing Grace, page 227}

Christ and the world are not in partnership. The apostle says, "Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?" . . . Conformity to the world will never be the means of converting the world to Christ. Christians must be entirely consecrated to God if the church is to be efficient in its influence for good upon unbelievers. The slightest diversion from Christ is so much influence, power, and efficiency given to the enemy. {In Heavenly Places, page 168}

But conformity to the world, to gain its favor and recognition, will bring weakness. {Medical Ministry, page 166}

What kind of customs can you think of that should be shunned but many who profess the Adventist’s faith do not? Could Halloween be one? How can you profess to believe that people are asleep in the grave, agree that the Bible is the will of God for each of us where God spoke very much against witches and sorcerers, and yet partake of the celebration dedicated to the spirit world? What contradiction! Sure it is a fun day. Satan does nothing with drudgery to gather the masses.

Oh, and how about April Fools day? Do we have any satanic fools out there? A day dedicated to lying and cheating.

What Does History Teach Us?

Then I was pointed back to the years 1843 and 1844. There was a spirit of consecration then that there is not now. What has come over the professed peculiar people of God? I saw the conformity to the world, the unwillingness to suffer for the truth's sake. I saw a great lack of submission to the will of God. I was pointed back to the children of Israel after they left Egypt. God in mercy called them out from the Egyptians, that they might worship Him without hindrance or restraint. He wrought for them in the way by miracles, He proved and tried them by bringing them into strait places. After the wonderful dealings of God with them, and their deliverance so many times, they murmured when tried or proved by Him. Their language was, "Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt." They lusted for the leeks and onions there. {Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White, page 158}

What are your leeks and onions? What in your old life do you crave?

What Do You Think Of Reforms?

Conformity to the world is gaining ground among God's people, who profess to be pilgrims and strangers, waiting and watching for the Lord's appearing. There are many among professed Sabbathkeepers in ----- who are more firmly wedded to worldly fashions and lusts than they are to healthy bodies, sound minds, or sanctified hearts. . . . {Counsels On Health, page 105}

I was shown the conformity of some professed Sabbathkeepers to the world. Oh, I saw that it is a disgrace to their profession, a disgrace to the cause of God. They give the lie to their profession. They think they are not like the world, but they are so near like them in dress, in conversation, and actions, that there is no distinction. I saw them decorating their poor, mortal bodies, which are liable at any moment to be touched by the finger of God and laid upon a bed of anguish. Oh, then, as they approach their last change, mortal anguish racks their frames, and the great inquiry is: "Am I prepared to die? prepared to appear before God in judgment, and pass the grand review?" Ask them then how they feel about decorating their bodies, and if they have any sense of what it is to be prepared to appear before God, they will tell you that if they could take back and live over the past, they would correct their lives, shun the follies of the world, its vanity and pride, and would adorn the body with modest apparel, and set an example to all around them. They would live to the glory of God. {Testimonies For The Church, Volume One, page 131}

Not interested in the health message means one is on the side of the professed group. The professed group can talk up all the doctrines, but will be lost in the end.

How Serious Is Conformity?

Conformity to the world is a sin, which is sapping the spirituality of our people, and seriously interfering with their usefulness. It is idle to proclaim the warning message to the world, while we deny it in the transactions of daily life. {Evangelism, page 271}

Conformity to the world and harmony with Christ cannot be maintained. Worldly maxims and worldly practices sap spirituality from heart and life. Conformity to the world means resemblance to the world in meeting the world's standard. . . . No man can serve the world and Jesus Christ at the same time. There is an irreconcilable antagonism, between Christ and the world. {The Faith I Live By, page 117}

Conformity to worldly customs converts the church to the world; it never converts the world to Christ. {The Great Controversy ‘88, p. 509}

I saw that the axe must be laid at the root of the tree. Such pride should not be suffered in the church. It is these things that separate God from his people that shuts the ark away from them. Israel has been asleep to the pride, and fashions, and conformity to the world, in their very midst. They advance every month in pride, covetousness, selfishness, and love of the world. {Spiritual Gifts, Volume 4b, page 22}

The spirit of compromise and conformity was restrained for a time by the fierce persecutions which the church endured under paganism. But as persecution ceased, and Christianity entered the courts and palaces of kings, she laid aside the humble simplicity of Christ and His apostles for the pomp and pride of pagan priests and rulers; and in place of the requirements of God, she substituted human theories and traditions. The nominal conversion of Constantine in the early part of the fourth century caused great rejoicing; and the world, arrayed in robes of righteousness, walked into the church. Now the work of corruption rapidly progressed. Paganism, while appearing to be vanquished, became the conqueror. Her spirit controlled the church. Her doctrines, ceremonies, and superstitions were incorporated into the faith and worship of the professed followers of Christ. {The Story of Redemption, p 326}

Those who choose to make excuses and continue in sin and conformity to the world will be left to their idols. There will be a day when they will not beg to be excused, when not one will wish to be excused. When Christ shall come in His glory and the glory of His Father, with all the heavenly angels surrounding Him, escorting Him on His way with voices of triumph, while strains of the most enchanting music fall upon the ear, all will then be interested; there will not be one indifferent spectator. Speculations will not then engross the soul. The miser's piles of gold, which have feasted his eyes, are no more attractive. The palaces which the proud men of earth have erected, and which have been their idols, are turned from with loathing and disgust. No one pleads his lands, his oxen, his wife that he has just married, as a reason why he should be excused from sharing the glory that bursts upon his astonished vision. All want a share, but know that it is not for them. {Testimonies For The Church, Volume Two, page 41}

Let every one, for Christ's sake and for his own soul's sake, shun conformity to the world, to its customs, vanities, and fashions. Beware of human commandments that will obscure the holy commandments of God. The pleasure lover is ever unsatisfied, and continually desires to seek again the excitement of the ballroom, the theater, or the party of pleasure. The time God has granted us in which to prepare for eternity is spent by thousands in pouring over fictitious stories. God-given intellect is perverted, the Word of God is neglected, the mind and soul are robbed of moral power needed for wrestling against faults and errors, habits and practices, that disqualify the soul for the enjoyment of Christ's presence.... {That I May Know Him, page 318}

How Seriously Should We Deal With Conformity?

Eternal interest should be the great theme of teachers and students. Conformity to the world should be strictly guarded against. {Fundamentals of Christian Education, p 436}

Christ gave Himself a sacrifice for the world. He cheerfully gave His own life as a ransom for an apostate world, and he does not design that selfishness and worldliness shall exist in the hearts of His followers. Conformity to the world is expressly forbidden by the Word of God. . . . God's chosen ones are to be just what He meant they should be, and what the apostle declares they are--"a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men" (2 Cor. 4:9). {In Heavenly Places, page 308}

There can be and must be a withdrawal from conformity to the world, a shunning of all appearance of evil, so that no occasion shall be given for gainsayers. We cannot escape reproach; it will come; but we should be very careful that we are not reproached for our own sins or follies, but for Christ's sake. {Selected Messages, Book 1, page 124}

We may deny Christ in our life, by the love of ease, love of self, jesting and joking, and by seeking the honor of the world. We may deny him in our outward appearance, by a proud look or costly apparel, or by conformity to the world. We shall not be able to exhibit in our character the life of Christ, or the sanctifying influence of the truth, only by constant watchfulness and persevering and almost unceasing prayer. {Spiritual Gifts, Volume 4b, 93}

What Are You Being Called To Do?

God's people will separate themselves from the unrighteous practices of those around them and will seek for purity of thought and holy conformity to His will until His divine image will be reflected in them. Like Enoch, they will be fitting for translation to heaven. While they endeavor to instruct and warn the world, they will not conform to the spirit and customs of unbelievers but will condemn them by their holy conversation and godly example. Enoch's translation to heaven just before the destruction of the world by a flood represents the translation of all the living righteous from the earth previous to its destruction by fire. The saints will be glorified in the presence of those who have hated them for their loyal obedience to God's righteous commandments. {The Story of Redemption, page 61}

ANSWERS FOUND IN THE SCRIPTURE OF TRUTH (Daniel 10:21)

QUESTION: It is very discouraging conducting Bible studies, watching them come step-by-step, and then all of a sudden they become lax on what they were convicted on or simply close up. Do you have any advice?

ANSWER: The following texts may help.

Psalms 19:7 The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple.

1 Thessalonians 2:10 Ye [are] witnesses, and God [also], how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe.

Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

1 Peter 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

Now putting it together, we are just the instruments in God’s hands. It is not our duty to convert anyone. Jesus said that we are to be “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20).

We are to hold the Bible study, do our best, and hope and pray for the souls, but the conversion is left in God’s hands as long as the souls are open to Him. No one can control another. Though it is frustrating, we simply do not have control, and there is nothing we can do.

In many cases, there seems to be a single issue that someone will not let go. The soul is not converted despite showing signs that they accept all the different teachings. That is only because those issues are not really issues to them. But one is bound to eventually hit the issue that they do not want to give up. And we need to let it with that person and God.

Overall, we need to live by Ezekiel 3:18-19 “When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked [man] shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.”

Do not get caught up in the use of the word “wicked”. Anyone living in disobedience to God is considered wicked no matter how nice they are. Our duty is to give the warning or Bible study and let the soul decide for their self. Just because others appear to be more successful does not mean they really are. In quite a few cases, many have joined the church out of argument and not love for the truth. So do not be jealous of another’s ability. The last days will prove that out, and besides, we are just to treat each soul we study with as if you were the only two on the planet. The same logic used at other times is not necessarily going to work with this soul. Just because another person is more successful does not mean a thing because this person is not one of those other souls.

Continue to give your all and continue to pray even after they discontinue the relationship, but leave the conversion to God.

ART THOU IN HEALTH (2 Samuel 20:9)

When Water Is Not Good (1 Timothy 5:23)

The Bible says, “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities” (1 Timothy 5:23).

Water is not the best in certain situations. If the water is of a poor quality and susceptible to disease, drink a little wine instead. Some times during an illness, water is just not staying down, but a little wine may help.

No, we are not referring to alcohol. In fact, studies show that alcohol, especially that of wine, causes one to vomit instead of heal. On the other hand, grape juice, the 100% kind, seems to calm the stomach, loosen the cough, and aide in healing.

Though it is still considered eating between meals, sometimes exception to water is necessary, but let us not make the exception be the rule.

Water between meals is all that one should drink. And if you think Timothy was counseled to drink alcohol, let us read the following paragraph:

Fermented liquor confuses the senses and perverts the powers of the being. God is dishonored when men have not sufficient respect for themselves to practice strict temperance. Fermented wine is not a natural production. The Lord never made it, and with its production He has nothing to do. Paul advised Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach's sake and oft infirmities, but he meant the unfermented juice of the grape. He did not advise Timothy to take what the Lord had prohibited. {The Signs of the Times, September 6, 1899 par. 2}

WALK, EVEN AS HE WALKED (1 John 2:6)

Christian Character Exemplified

In the name of my Master I appeal to the young men and women who claim to be sons and daughters of God, to obey the word of God. I appeal to teachers in our schools to set a right example to those with whom they are associated. Those who would be qualified to mould the character of the youth, must be learners in the school of Christ, that they may be meek and lowly of heart, as was the divine Pattern. In dress, in deportment, in all their ways, they should exemplify the Christian character, revealing the fact that they are under wise disciplinary rules of the great Teacher. The Christian youth should be in earnest, trained to bear responsibilities with brave heart and willing hand. He should be ready to encounter the trials of life with patience and fortitude. He should seek to form a character after the model of the divine One, following maxims of worth, confirming himself in habits that will enable him to win the victor's crown. {Christian Education, page 88}

What example do we set before the youth, not only in the classroom, but on Sabbath mornings? Again, you do not have to be a teacher or even a parent to be setting the right or wrong example before the youth. And though it is easy to dismiss this by the words, “They should not be looking to you, but to Jesus as their example,” the fact of the matter is that youth do look to you. You do have an influence though you think you are hidden in the corner of a pew somewhere.

One careless word, one careless act is all that it takes to impress the youth. And you know how Satan works. You may be on guard of your words and acts but the moment you let your guard down just once is the time the most number of youth are watching.

So what message are you sending? Paul says, “be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).

And youth, you do not get off the hook so easily. Ever hear of peer pressure? Would it not be great if one were pressured into being like Christ? If the youth set a right example, the one that does not want to surrender all to Jesus would feel pressured to submit without anyone saying a word.

IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THE LAST DAYS (Acts 2:17)

Having Zeal

We live amid the perils of the last days. Because iniquity abounds, the love of many waxes cold. The word "many" refers to the professed followers of Christ. They are affected by the prevailing iniquity and backslide from God, but it is not necessary that they should be thus affected. The cause of this declension is that they do not stand clear from this iniquity. The fact that their love of God is waxing cold because iniquity abounds shows that they are, in some sense, partakers in this iniquity, or it would not affect their love for God and their zeal and fervor in this cause. {Child Guidance, page 439.1}

Do we have zeal? Do we have fervor? If so, would not our church be a stark contrast as compared to the rest of the world? What is the difference between Christians and worldly people today? Let us go further and ask, what is the difference between Seventh-day Adventists and other Christians?

Did you know that at one point in our church, theatre attendance was shunned? Did you know that just about every Christian church denounced movie going? So the devil got smart and pumped it into the homes as television.

Should our conversation be about the latest program on television? Should we be discussing sports at all? Should we be caught up in politics? Should cartoons be babysitting our children?

What of the manner we eat? Should we be eating the foods of the world, especially lots of sweets and sodas?

How is our zeal for personal Bible time with God? Or is it just a quarterly study crammed in on Friday night?

To have zeal and fervor means that you cannot get enough of it. If you have personal time with God in the Word, do you feel sadness that it is over and now you have to face the world? Do you hunger and thirst to share the gospel with someone.

Have we backslidden? The Bible and Ellen White say so. Who are we to argue with God! May we get back to the zeal and fervor we once experienced, and if we have not, may we seek to have it. Otherwise, “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” (Titus 1:16).

WHO HATH BELIEVED OUR REPORT? AND TO WHOM IS THE ARM OF THE LORD REVEALED? (Isaiah 53:1)

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Christ is wounded by the differences that are so easily created and brought to the front. Turn to the seventeenth chapter of John, and read the prayer of Christ, His entreaty that His disciples may be one as He is one with the Father. We greatly dishonor God when we regard it as a light matter to make our differences apparent. This is sure to weaken our own souls and the souls of others. . . . When we bring in our own ideas and opinions, we mislead others. Attach importance to a plain "Thus saith the Lord," and then you will be laborers together with Christ.

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